VGA Pennant Round 5
Published on 4th April 2022 in UncategorizedRound 5 saw the team travelling well outside their usual comfort zone, taking a country trip to to take on the home side at Bacchus Marsh GC.
The weather was looking grim, with a persistent drizzle and winds predicted for most of the day. This match was crucial in Yarrambat’s quest for the flag and promotion to Division 5.
The team was pumped and primed. Coming off the clutch win in Round 4 where Captain Kershaw held his nerve and demonstrated some magnificent recovery skills to win his game 1 up and the match 4&3, we knew we were in for a challenge.
Bacchus Marsh looked the team most likely to challenge for top spot, and the guys needed to be ‘on’ for the day.
Calvin, making a courageous return from injury in the cold weather (which he doesn’t like at the best of times) lead them out, but couldn’t find the range with the putter leaving a bushel of shots inches short in the jaws to go down 3&2.
Alex “The Motivator” Rachkovski went out at 6, and lived up to the hype and continuing his recent super-hot form to dispatch his opponent 6&5 to bank the first win.
Jas K was fighting his inner fade and fought strongly, recovering from some tricky spots, before going down 4 & 2.
Captain Kershaw remained unflappable as he took out a 4 & 2 win to square the ledger.
Matt Allen came up against the Bacchus Marsh Club Champ, who also lives ‘on the 2nd hole’ and he had a real battle as he birdied holes for 1/2s and was even with the card going while down 5&4.
Daniel took the mantle at #1 and played a redeeming match against their #1, taking out a great 3&2 win to again square the match at 3 all.
That left Aaron, who leading 1 up heading to 18, caught an unlucky break off the tee and the match was squared. Heading to the 19th extra hole, the rain was a factor and the pressure intense. Both players parred the short par 4 1st and headed to the 20th hole, a downhill par 4, again halved in par. The pressure ramped up on the par 3 3rd, Bacchus Marsh missed a 6 footer for the win, and they went to the 22nd hole. Aaron held it together to make a great par and the pressure was on Bacchus Marsh who had missed makeable putts on the previous holes, and did so again for Alex to take a magnificent pressure win. A truly Spartan effort.
The 4&3 win placed us firmly at the top of the table, undefeated through 5 rounds (and the only team of the 48across 6 divisions to remain unbeaten). With Goonawarra defeating Werribee Park and Mandalay defeating Melbourne Airport, it also meant we are guaranteed a Top 2 finish and promotion to Division 5.
This year’s team have truly bonded as a unit, and while the job is not yet finished – we’d love to go 7-0 and bring back the Pennant – congratulations goes to each and every member of the Team. And a HUGE thanks to the caddies and supporters who give up their time to rally the troops, these wins are your wins too!
Thanks again to Jack Mac and the crew at Keilor GC for the use of the range the last 2 rounds – it really helped the guys prepare for these vital matches.
It has been a long time coming, but we are on the way!
Congratulations on a great win – now let’s finish the job! Go Bats!! 🦇🦇🦇
Stuart Thompson
Proud YGC President